This Is What Happens When You Give Up Porn

Porn addiction is not a clinically diagnosed condition. But that doesn’t stop swathes of men – for it is predominantly men – of all ages across the world becoming seemingly addicted to watching porn.

Erectile dysfunction amongst young men is on the rise, but opinions are divided as to whether this is as a result of porn or simply masturbation.

Studies have shown that pornography constitutes about 25 per cent of all search engine requests and affects the brain in much the same way as drugs.

Porn can be a way to build camaraderie among hormonally charged adolescent boys, a healthy outlet for sexual urges, or a shared intimate experience for some couples. Unfortunately, this usage of sexual media turns dark when it becomes compulsive and uncontrollable. Often at the cost of your sex life, social life, work life, and personal relationships. Plus, it could hit your self-esteem, leave you depressed, and ashamed.

Whether or not you believe in the power of erotica, the American Psychological Association says porn consumption rates are upward of 30 percent among women, and 50 percent or more among men.1 But if this fascination turns to an addiction, you may be in trouble. Here’s a look at the side effects of your indulgence in pornographic content.

Negative Effects Of Pornography

Depression

One of the big problems with porn addiction is that it could be contributing to a more deep-seated problem that needs attention and medical care. Like depression. As one piece of research found, those who used sexually explicit media had higher depressive symptoms as well as diminished mental health days and reported an overall poorer quality of lifecompared to those who did not use such media, better known as porn.2 If this depression and the porn addiction are not addressed, the individual could suffer far graver health consequences both mental and physical. In fact, one feature in a men’s health magazine says that “at risk users” may even be using porn to escape their pre-existing feelings of loneliness or stress. And as you’ll well know, that can’t possibly end very happily.

Self-esteem Issues

Before and during porn use, an addict is likely to feel a rush of excitement. Unfortunately, after the consumption of sexual media, negative feelings begin to set in. They could manifest as guilt or shame that are quite intense. The user may feel remorse or even sink into depression. All of these combine to hit the self-esteem of the individual who may even become reclusive.

Relationship Issues And Impact On Sex Life

When you indulge in porn too much or too often, it can make a dent in relationships with your real life sexual partners. And that’s precisely what one survey found, when they interviewed female college students in relationships where they saw their boyfriend’s consumption of porn to be excessive. The relationship quality was perceived to be poorer, self-esteem of these women was lower, and they said their sexual satisfaction also came in below par.4 The unrealistic expectations it sets up for women to live up to, have been the subject of much debate. Another study found that for men too, sexual quality of life dropped when the men indulged in porn use.5 Men in relationships who are addicted to porn may also become emotionally withdrawn and distance themselves from their partner. They may become more secretive and less intimate in a bid to cover up their habit.